Westbank émigré bills oldfactory de facto peace wall

The former citysider said it’s far too early to consider dismantling peace walls at this point in time regardless of David Cameron’s and Theresa Villiers’ notions.

He made the comments as the Sentinel reveals a tentative proposal to develop the former Sinclair factory at Wapping Lane has collapsed.

A Department of Social Development spokesperson told the paper it received an application for Urban Development Grant funding for the factory.

But “the applicant contacted the Department in September to advise that his attempt to purchase the building had fallen through as it had been sold to a third party.

“Since the applicant does not own the property, he is unable to proceed with the project and the application has lapsed.

“The Department has not received an application for Urban Development Grant from the new owner, although we would be happy to discuss any proposals they have for the property.”

Last week the Sentinel reported how the residents of the Fountain want to develop a new tourist trail to commemorate the role the estate played in the mass exodus of Protestants from the cityside from the 1970s onwards.

The pensioner from the Glen - who asked not to be named - vocalised what some in the Fountain perceive as an agenda to reduce the number of peace walls across the province. You can listen to the man - whose voice has been altered - above.

He said the removal of peace walls - official or unofficial - is a non-runner on the Westbank.

“It’s not that long back we had meetings here and we were talking about getting a gate down there (junction of Wapping Lane/Carlisle Circus/Abercorn Road).

“There seems to be a big thing now in the Government, wherever it’s going to lead,” he said.

Pointing to the old Londonderry jail building, which has been largely demolished and replaced with a peace wall, he said: “There was never access up there anyway because the jail was built right across.

“There was only one wee street - two streets - Albert Street and Albert Place. We actually treat that [Sinclair factory] in our minds as a peace wall. It’s very important that nothing happens that would open that up.”

He also said that leaving the cityside when he did was a hard pill to swallow.

“I couldn’t stick it. I was a Westbank man all my life,” he said. “I had bother over here. You had the usual old stuff, you know. People passing you on the street, you know? I did [feel more at home]. I didn’t see any reason why I should have moved.”